Here’s your guide to the opening round of the West Central Districts basketball tournament.
Boys (All games held Saturday, Feb. 11)
(7) Sumner: 11-12
(2) Federal Way: 20-1
Last Meeting: March 6, 2020— Sumner 66-60
Federal Way comes in on a 14-game win streak, because of the playoff composition the Eagles are the two-seed. The last time these two teams met was in the first round of the fifth-place bracket. Sumner knocked out the Eagles of the state tournament. The senior-heavy roster is ready to bring Federal Way basketball back to the forefront of Washington state high school hoops.
(14) Mount Tahoma: 9-10
(11) Todd Beamer: 13-6
Last Meeting: Feb. 23, 2010— Todd Beamer 56-55
The Titans hit a rough patch during the middle of January losing three straight. But entering the playoffs they have rebounded nicely and entered their first playoff matchup on a four-game win streak. The Titans are one of four teams in the NPSL to score over 90 points this season, the only 3A team.
Girls (All games held Friday, Feb. 10)
(8) Decatur: 15-5
(1) Sumner: 20-3
Last Meeting: Dec. 17, 2022 — Sumner 43-39
Decatur had one of their best seasons in the last decade this season. On top of that, the Gators haven’t made the state tournament this century. If the Gators are to upset the Sumner Spartans it could be considered the best upset in school history. During the meeting this season Decatur lost by 4, which is tied for the closest margin of Spartan victory against a team not named the Emerald ridge Jaguars.
(7) Todd Beamer: 11-6
(3) Lincoln: 14-2
Last Meeting: Dec. 27, 2019 — Todd Beamer 55-25
Todd Beamer is the only school to have both boys and girls represented in the playoffs this season. They have their work cut out from the jump, Lincoln’s two losses have come against the third-seeded Emerald Ridge, and fifth-seeded Bellermine. Similar to the Beamer boys the girls are coming in hot, a six-game win streak.
(13) Thomas Jefferson: 7-13
(12) Central Kitsap: 9-9
Last Meeting: N/A
After a winless season, Thomas Jefferson finds itself in the playoffs with a new first-year coach. The Raiders may be under .500 but started the season 1-8 and won three in a row in late January. TJ lost their last game against Todd Beamer, but is playing with passion and has the ability to take strides never expected.